Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), absorptive capacity (ACAP), and technological innovation capabilities (TIC) among industrial SMEs operating in an unstable environment. The research also aims to determine whether ACAP has a mediating role in the relation between EO and TIC. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation model was designed to examine the relationships. On the basis of a research framework, a self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from SMEs owners in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. There were 432 out of 676 questionnaires returned and subsequently used for statistical analysis. Findings The outcomes of the present research indicate both EO and ACAP have significant effects on TIC. Furthermore, the outcomes suggest that ACAP has a mediation role in the nexus between EO and TIC and that indicates the ability of EO to strengthen TIC via ACAP. Originality/value The research contributes to the literature through three aspects. First, it provides some empirical evidence on the relationships between EO, ACAP and TIC of SMEs. Second, the research sheds light on the insights that firms can use externally generated knowledge as a mechanism to enhance their proactivity and willingness toward innovation. Third, for the innovation literature, it is valuable contribution to placing ACAP within the frame of EO. Thus, they can be advantageous to more development in innovation literature.

The present study purposes to examine the mediating role of Market Orientation in its nexus among Entrepreneurial Orientation, Absorptive Capacity and Technological Innovation Capabilities among construction SMEs in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Due to the critical role of SMEs in construction industry for the reconstruction of Iraq in general and Kurdistan region in particular, the purpose of present study is to determine whether the Market Orientation has a mediating role in its relation with the examined variables, so as to examine that, the model of present study was developed. To validate the proposed model, self-administered questionnaire were conducted to gathering data from SMEs owners in Kurdistan region of Iraq, 249 questionnaires returned and used for statistical analysis Out of 278 distributed. The outcomes of present research reflect that both of Absorptive Capacity and Entrepreneurial Orientation have significant effect on Technological Innovation Capabilities. Furthermore, the outcomes of present study assert that the Market Orientation has a partial mediation mechanism in the nexus between Absorptive Capacity and Technological Innovation Capabilities.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between marketing and innovation capabilities and new product development (NPD), including the potential mediating and moderating roles of innovation capability (IC) in the relationship between marketing capability (MC) and NPD.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from telecommunication firms operating in the Kurdistan region of Iraq using a self-administered questionnaire. Of 556 distributed questionnaires, 272 were returned and used for statistical analysis. To analyze the data, a structural equation model (SEM) was developed to test both measurement and structural models.FindingsBoth innovation capability and marketing capability positively impact NPD. Furthermore, IC not only strengthens the relationship between MC and NPD but also serves as a mechanism enabling this relationship.Originality/valueThis study offers NPD researchers a deeper understanding of the capabilities that may affect the NPD process. From a theoretical perspective, previous studies focused exclusively on IC and MC separately and thus did not capture the relationships between these antecedents and NPD. Another valuable contribution of this study to the NPD literature is the inclusion of different roles of IC within the frame of MC and NPD. For practitioners, this study outlines novel combinations of antecedents leading to better levels of NPD.

PurposeThis conceptual paper aims to provide a further understanding of the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU), news framing and information overload on panic buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on earlier research and news releases about the COVID-19 outbreak, this paper advances testable propositions based on the protection motivation theory and information processing theory.FindingsThis paper infers that the major shift in consumer decision-making towards panic buying is a result of high EPU. International reports have contributed to deepening this uncertainty, and the consequences of this EPU are expected to affect the economic recovery through 2022. Furthermore, the adoption of particular frames of the pandemic has played a key role in the dissemination of misinformation and fake news during the public health crisis and affected purchasing decisions. The study also infers that the perceived threat among consumers is driven by information overload as a source of mistrust towards economic and health information sources.Originality/valueThis paper addresses two theoretical gaps associated with consumer buying behaviour. First, it highlights the impact of EPU, as a macroeconomic indicator, on consumer buying behaviour. Second, this paper is an attempt to integrate theories from different disciplines to foster an adequate understanding of buying behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak period.

This study investigates the nexus between career commitment, adaptability and motivation, and the mediation role of career adaptability on the relationships between career commitment and motivation. Data were collected randomly from marketers working in the telecommunication sector in the Kurdistan region of Iraq through online questionnaires. There were 121 out of 285 forms received and analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach. The findings indicate that both career commitment and adaptability have direct effects on career motivation. Furthermore, a mediation effect of career adaptability was identified in the relationship between career commitment and motivation. The findings of the study contribute to the career motivation literature by investigating the effects of individual factors, namely career commitment and career adaptability, on career motivation in the context of developing countries. The study also points out the compound effect of these factors on career motivation.